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Metroplex Region Snapshot2015
As the state's chief financial officer, I am charged with monitoring the economic health of our state. Therefore, it's vitally important that my office studies factors related to our regional economies.
The 19 counties comprising the Metroplex Region cover the north central portion of Texas and include some of the state's most densely populated urban areas. The region has more than four times as many people per square mile as the Texas average — and it's still growing at a faster rate than the state.
Below, we track regional trends in population growth, personal income, jobs and wages, education and water — a wildcard issue that, if left unaddressed, could curtail continued economic expansion.
Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Metroplex Region Counties
- Collin
- Cooke
- Dallas
- Denton
- Ellis
- Erath
- Fannin
- Grayson
- Hood
- Hunt
- Johnson
- Kaufman
- Navarro
- Palo Pinto
- Parker
- Rockwall
- Somervell
- Tarrant
- Wise
The Metroplex Region is the most populous economic region and the second most densely populated.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Key Industries 2016
- Transportation Equipment and Maufacturing
- Air Transportation
- Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing
- Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets
- Printing and Related Support Activities
- Telecommunications
- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
- Data Processing, Hosting and Related Services
- Couriers and Messengers
- Paper Manufacturing
- Management of Companies and Enterprises
Population Growth
Metroplex Region vs. Texas and U.S., 2004-2014
- Region: 22%
- Texas: 20%
- U.S.: 9%
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis
The Metroplex Region has 4.7 times as many people per square mile as the state average.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Corsicana's Collin Street Bakery shipped more than a million fruitcakes to customers in 196 countries last year.
Source: Collin Street Bakery
Personal Income
Personal income in the Metroplex Region increased from $210.4 billion in 2004 to $356 billion in 2014. It accounted for 29 percent of the state's $1.23 trillion in 2014.
Per capita personal income tops the state average by $3,351, yet it grew at a slower rate than the state as a whole — 39 percent vs. 47 percent — during 2004-2014.
| County | 2014 Per Capita Income | 10-Year Per Capita Income Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Collin | $59,146 | 36% |
| Cooke | $56,631 | 107% |
| Dallas | $52,406 | 39% |
| Rockwall | $50,460 | 26% |
| Parker | $48,118 | 59% |
| Denton | $46,987 | 39% |
| Tarrant | $46,169 | 36% |
| Hood | $44,056 | 53% |
| Wise | $42,087 | 71% |
| Somervell | $40,991 | 66% |
| Johnson | $38,016 | 47% |
| Kaufman | $37,348 | 35% |
| Ellis | $37,322 | 31% |
| Grayson | $37,034 | 43% |
| Palo Pinto | $36,560 | 55% |
| Navarro | $35,276 | 49% |
| Fannin | $33,958 | 47% |
| Hunt | $33,312 | 31% |
| Erath | $32,150 | 39% |
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Per Capita Personal Income Growth, 2004-2014
- Region: 39%
- Texas: 47%
- U.S.: 34%
Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Jobs and Wages
Job Growth, 2004-2014
- Region: 18.6%
- Texas: 21.7%
- U.S.: 5.5%
Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Intl.
The Metroplex Region added more than 531,000 jobs from 2004 to 2014. Collin County led this expansion; its 65 percent job growth accounted for 27 percent of the region's net new jobs.
The 2014 regional average wage of $55,000 was higher than the state average of $52,537.
CNN Money has ranked Rockwall as the best U.S. city for job growth.
Source: CNN Money
Education
Metroplex Region Public High School Graduates, 2014
- Dallas County : 34%
- Tarrant County: 25%
- Collin County: 14%
- Other Counties in Metroplex Region: 27%
The Metroplex Region is home to the second-largest independent school district in Texas.
Dallas ISD produced 7,410 public high school graduates in 2014.
The region also has six of the state's 15 largest school districts: Dallas, Garland, Fort Worth, Plano, Arlington and Lewisville.
Source: Texas Education Agency and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Water
Demand for water already exceeds available supply in much of the Metroplex Region. This fact could curb economic and demographic growth in the booming region, given that estimates project a demand increase of nearly 82 percent from 2010 to 2060. Total water supplies are projected to decrease by 3 percent over the same period.
Meanwhile, the outlook for acquiring significant new water sources looks questionable at best. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court scuttled a Tarrant Regional Water District attempt to secure water from Oklahoma. Political and regulatory hurdles have prevented a proposal to build the Marvin Nichols Reservoir.
Some cities have responded with conservation efforts. Frisco, for example, recently won two awards for its innovations.
| Year | Total Water Supply | Total Water Demand |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2,032,399 | 1,927,505 |
| 2020 | 1,999,112 | 2,259,625 |
| 2030 | 1,991,677 | 2,561,542 |
| 2040 | 1,984,091 | 2,847,551 |
| 2050 | 1,982,953 | 3,150,353 |
| 2060 | 1,967,903 | 3,501,235 |
Source: Texas Water Development Board and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Conclusion
The Metroplex Region is one of Texas' most dynamic. Its largest city, Dallas, in many ways encapsulates our state's larger-than-life mythos. Communities throughout the region have benefited from growth in everything from population, personal income and educational achievement to jobs.
Aircraft manufacturing, air transportation and telecommunications help anchor the region's industries. Professional sports of every kind bolster tourism and regional pride.
Rapid municipal growth has increased water consumption, creating a gap between supply and demand and water supplies within the region's reach.
Overall, the Metroplex Region shows signs of positive job growth coupled with strong salaries — factors that point to a robust future.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.